Grizzlies vs. Thunder Final Score: Memphis Survives Oklahoma City 103-97 in OT, Takes Decisive 3-1 Advantage
By Brad Rowland
In a wild, back-and-forth contest, the Memphis Grizzlies grabbed a 3-1 series lead with a 103-97 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday evening. After trailing for much of the night, Memphis used their elite-level defense in holding the OKC offense to just 41 points in the final 29 game minutes, and that was enough to propel them to a huge victory in a game that became a tale of two halves.
The leading trio of Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol performed in a big way for the Grizzlies, as each player scored over 20 points and “won” their individual match-ups. Conley (who seems to be making the leap before our eyes) had a rough shooting night (7 for 21 from the field), but seemed to make every crucial play for Memphis and finished 24 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals on the night. Up front, Gasol and Randolph combined for 46 points and 23 rebounds while locking down on the OKC offense in the second half.
It was an outstanding first half of offense for the Thunder, as they managed to shoot 54% (21 for 39) from the field, 50% from three-point land, and a near-flawless 9-for-10 from the free throw line in rout to a 56-48 lead. Their early-game numbers would have been blistering against any opponent, but with the added emphasis of an elite Memphis defense, OKC’s offense was particularly impressive.
Offensively for Memphis, they began the game slowly, opening with 7 consecutive missed field goals, and even fell behind by a 17-point margin (46-29) during the second quarter. Before the half, Memphis shot just 41% from the field (18 for 44), and looked to be out of sorts as their trademark defense failed them in allowing a series-high 56 points to the Thunder in the half.
In the second half, things swung in a big way toward the Grizzlies. They outshot OKC, out-rebounded the Thunder 26-19, and generally made life difficult for Kevin Durant and company. After a 13-4 run was capped by a Marc Gasol 20-foot jumper and 2 converted free throws, Memphis evened the score at 72-72, completing their comeback and from that point, the teams played dead-even until the overtime period.
At the end of regulation, Zach Randolph made a huge (and controversial) defensive play with a steal on Kevin Durant to preserve a 1-point lead, and after Marc Gasol converted an extended possession with 1 of 2 from the free-throw line, it looked like Memphis could seal the victory. Then, Kevin Durant (who had only 3 points in the previous 18 game minutes) took things into his own hands, slashing for a game-tying scoop to keep the Thunder alive. On the final trip of regulation, Kendrick Perkins locked down on Randolph, forcing a wild attempt by Z-Bo (and a curious play call, to boot) that allowed the game to go to the decisive overtime period.
Once the game got to overtime, however, the Memphis defense made yet another leap, holding OKC to just 3 points in the 5-minute frame, and generally perplexing the always-predictable Thunder offense. The only Thunder basket in the overtime came on a Derek Fisher three (imagine that), but Kevin Durant was swarmed throughout (credit abounds for Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince), and the biggest play of the period came on an errant inbounds pass from the aforementioned Fisher that basically sealed the OKC fate.
When the dust settled, Memphis emerged with a 6-point victory, and firm control of the series. It isn’t often that team that employs the best player in the series doesn’t take control of things, but with Kevin Durant (who finished with 27 points, but shot just 10-for-27) being forced to single-handedly carry the OKC offense, that is where the series has shifted. Scott Brooks will surely encounter some heat for his extended use of Derek Fisher (who was wretched) and Kendrick Perkins (ditto), but at a certain point, the Thunder’s roster limitations caught up to them, and Memphis simply is the better team at this point.
As things move back to Oklahoma City for Game 5, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Thunder (and Durant) rise up to defend their home-court. However, Memphis looks to be in complete control, and the Westbrook-less Thunder are grasping at straws to stay in the series.